Software to backup and restore Outlook

Is there any reliable software out there that allows to backup and restore Outlook?

Thanks!

 

The best and free program is Dropbox. It only syncs the changes in your Outlook data files.

Best regards,

KOR!

P.S. And, the best part, it is all automatic, you don't have to do anything, such as syncing it regularly and wasting your time. It is fast and will sync all your computers at once, rather than syncing each computer separately.

 

Thanks! I'll try both solutions

 

I wasn't aware Dropbox could do that. I may have to look into that.

Another free option if you only want an automated backup copy of your .pst file is this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238782

 

Fab's AutoBackup: free for XP, paid - 4,9 euro ! - the other versions, very simple and useful.

 

@blacknight: Thanks!

 

Hi Alex,

I'm a heavy Outlook user and like Pete I enthusiastically recommend Outback Plus. That's not to say that it's better than the other solutions discussed as I haven't tried any of the others. But here's a universal bit of advice. Like any backup your Outlook backup should be kept on an external drive (or the cloud).

And if you have multiple local partitions/drives another easily-implemented precaution is to move your pst files from its default location on the C-drive into a folder on another partition/drive.

Scott

 

Thanks!

 

Try this Mailstore

This could be what your are look for...

 

Thanks ASM, seems exactly what i was looking for: portable, free, compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2000, XP, 2003, 2007, 2010. I will definitely test it

 

Yes, Dropbox does it very nicely.

1. It only syncs the changes within the Outlook data file, not the complete Outlook data file.

2. It is automatic, and you don't have to do it manually. For example, I have a Desktop and 2 Laptops. If I check my email on one of the Laptops and/or make changes to the Outlook data file, when I turn on the other Laptop the changes are automatically synced.

3. It syncs all the changes made to the Outlook data files, including emails, calendar, contacts, notes, etc., etc.

4. It is Cloud, but Dropbox make all the changes to all the files through the LAN sync.

5. It is FREE.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Hi KOR,

Dropbox sounds interesting... I have been using Outlook on my desktop and laptop for a few years now, never syncing the two. So if I start using Dropbox would it sync the pst files on both PCs all the way back to 'day 1' of my using Outlook or would it just sync the changes to those pst files starting from the day I start using Dropbox?

Regards,
Scott

 

Hi Scott,

You have to understand how Dropbox works. Let us assume that you have already Dropbox on two laptops, which we call Laptop A and Laptop B. You have a file called, "Wilders.doc" on both of these laptops.

Now on Laptop A, you open the Wilders.doc and do some changes. When you turn on the Laptop B, you need to give Dropbox some time to sync any changes done in Laptop A. If you don't and you open the Wilders.doc in Laptop B, you will now have two documents in which changes have been made. So, you will now have Wilders.doc and Wilders.doc (Conflicted). Thus, no syncing.

So set-up one computer (desktop) with Dropbox with recent files. Then set up another computer (laptop) with Dropbox only and let Dropbox sync the files first time from your desktop.

Also, Dropbox gives you default location under "My Documents". Override that and have a sub-directory called, "Dropbox" in any drive beside the "C" drive. Within the Dropbox sub-directory you can have as many sub-directories and sub-directories. I have "Word", "Outlook" and so forth.

Then on any changes you make to any of the files on one computer they are automatically synced to the other computer.

BTW, you get 2GB Free with Dropbox and you earn another 8GB in increments of .25BG on introducing others to Dropbox, making a total of 10GB Free. So if I introduce you to Dropbox you will get .25GB Free and I will get .25GB Free too.

You will start with 2.25GB Free, rather than 2.00GB Free.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Hi Pete,

I never have had the above problem. See above my detailed explanation to Scott. On a new installation of Outlook, bring your outlook data file from another computer and use it on the new (old) computer. You can do this two ways.

1. Manually import your outlook data file and use this with your new installation of Outlook under Dropbox.

2. Or, let Dropbox to bring it automatically, and then use it with your new installation of Outlook under Dropbox.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Good to see some guidelines about Dropbox.
I don't use it and I doubt very much whether I will use it. Isn't it some cloud storing? I don't like that (if it is), but that is strictly my personal opinion.

I myself use the brother of Outback Plus: Express Assist (for Outlook Express); (and I have also Eazy Backup) (both from AJSystems as Outback Plus).
Same disclaimer as Pete (Peter2150) posted.

Some side remarks if you would allow me:

1.
Latest info about Outback Plus can be found here:
http://ajsystems.com/outbackplus/obp7updates.html

2.
I don't know whether at this moment Outback Plus works with the latest Firefox version.

 

KOR,

If I understand your explanation as to how Dropbox works, it seems that it cannot sync the two existing pst files (on my desktop and laptop).

Scott

 

You shouldn't have any problem with Dropbox as you already use Outback Plus, you should have one Outlook data file and not two Outlook data files.

But again as usual you post contradictory information.

So, do you sync with Outback Plus or not?

 

Dear Pete,

Dropbox syncs everything, emails, contacts, calendar, notes, reminders and so forth.

The other settings of the Outlook are in the registry and one doesn't need some fancy program to copy them. Just export from the registry from One Computer and import into another Computer. Simple.

The above is not true.

1. Dropbox first times syncs to others computers through the LAN and not through the Cloud. Yes, it does uploads it to the Cloud, but syncs to the other computers through the LAN.

2. There on Dropbox only syncs the changes made inside the Outlook data file (.pst) and not the whole file. If only one New Contact is added on the Desktop, then it will sync only that contact inside the Outlook data file (.pst) on the Laptop. This is done within seconds turning the Laptop on, again through the LAN.

3. The best thing, it is all automatic.

You seem not to have used the Dropbox lately. Or you wouldn't be doing that manual exercise daily. I have Outlook data file in Cloud, in my Desktop, and two Laptops and it is done automatically.

Dropbox keeps the changes for one month in the Cloud and three days in each of the computer it is syncing.

On a monthly basis, I use SyncBackSE to back up a copy of Outlook data file (.pst) on my NAS, and this is done automatically too.

NO MANUAL LABOR INVOLVED.

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Here is the registry entry for Windows 7 and Vista for backing up Outlook setting:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem

Best regards,

KOR!

 

Hi KOR,

That reg entry is the same for XP, btw. I use Outlook a ton but don't really use "backup tools"; I simply copy the .pst file from my primary machine and paste it into the appropriate folders on my other, secondary, machines.

Now I'm wondering about new Outlook installs. Do you suppose copying the .pst file from the old machine to the new machine **plus** importing the registry entry you posted into the new machine would result in having a pretty much identical, and fully functional, Outlook setup on the new machine? If not, what else would be left to do?

 

Hi Prius04,

The registry entry I posted are for email accounts. For some other settings such as Stationary, there are separate registry entries.

Here is what I do for a new Outlook install:

1. Copy the old.pst file from the old machine to a location in a new machine.
2. Start Outlook without an email support and let it set up a default.pst.
3. Open the old.pst in Outlook and it set as the default.pst
4. Close Outlook and restart Outlook.
5. Now the old.pst is default. Close the other .pst file.
6. Close Outlook.
7. Import registry entries.
8. Start Outlook. Click "send/receive" and copy/paste the passwords in the email accounts.
9. Done!

Best regards,

KOR!